Ho Chi Minh City’s Hung Vuong Hospital is offering COVID-19 vaccines to expectant women from the 13th week of pregnancy, starting from August 12.

It is among the first hospitals providing coronavirus vaccination services for pregnant women in the city.

Hung Vuong Hospital has launched a medical unit designated to treat expectant women with COVID-19 and the number of those hospitalised is on a rise, said Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet. The number of patients in the unit is overwhelming its capacity, according to Tuyet.

Pregnant women are more vulnerable to the disease as they are likely to develop respiratory failure more rapidly, she said, adding that without early intervention, the virus can threaten life of the mothers and fetuses. It is essential for expectant moms to be vaccinated amid spikes in COVID-19 cases, she emphasised.

Expectant women from 13th week onward who want to receive vaccines can notify doctors when visiting the hospital for antenatal care. They will be advised on vaccination and provided with health screenings prior to injection as well as post-injection health monitoring.

Vaccines remain free for all people, including pregnant women, under the city’s immunisation programme.

“7-day travel ban” in HCMC is fake news

The information on travel ban for seven days posted on social media is fake news, announced the HCMC Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control on August 12.

In the morning of August 12, some social media accounts spread fake news that the City’s secretary directed "residents and workers must stay at home and workplaces for seven days from 8 am next Monday; all people will have four days to prepare; there are not enough vaccine doses in HCMC because only 3.2 million additional doses of vaccines arrive in Vietnam in August, the vaccination given to specific priority group must be completed in four days; a 7-day travel ban will be imposed in the city; districts and departments must make a plan to implement the travel restriction; the health sector have to get ready for testing plan, medical staff conducting testing and vaccination."

The fake news has confused the public and impacted on pandemic prevention and control activities.
The HCMC Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control transferred the case to relevant authorities for investigation and handling accordance with the law.

Over 60 volunteers to receive first jab of COVIVAC vaccine in second stage

More than 60 volunteers are poised to be given the first jab of the locally-produced COVIVAC vaccine on August 18 following it entering the second phase of clinical trials.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Dinh Thiem, director of the Center for Clinical Trials of the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said on August 12 that the research team has officially begun to screen and recruit suitable volunteers who will be injected with the first jab.

The trial injection programme is set to be deployed in Vu Thu district of Thai Binh province and will feature the participation of 375 volunteers.

These trialists will be divided into three groups, with members of the first group each receiving a three-mcg dose of COVIVAC, with the second group being given a six-mcg dose, and the third having a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Assoc. Prof. Thiem went on to reveal that through medical screening, a total of 187 volunteers have been deemed eligible for the clinical trials and have already signed the necessary consent forms to participate in the second phase.

In line with the schedule, the duration for the second phase of the COVIVAC vaccine will be from August 10 to September 20.

The research team will therefore conduct medical examinations and take blood samples from all participants for evaluation, before the research team then proposes the third phase of clinical trials to the Ministry of Health, he noted.

COVIVAC represents the country’s second COVID-19 vaccine to reach the clinical trial stage. The vaccine initially began the first phase of clinical trials involving 120 volunteers aged between 18 and 59 on March 15.

Furthermore, the locally-produced vaccine has been being researched and developed by  the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) since May, 2020, representing a collaborative project with American universities and the PATH organisation.

Three manufacturing units, including IVAC-Vietnam, GPO-Thailand, and Butantan-Brazil have come together in order to jointly research and develop the vaccine through the technical support of PATH organisation.

The COVIVAC vaccine is a liquid vaccine which comes with or without adjuvants, without preservatives, whilst utlising the production technology of the Newcastle vector vaccine. It is based on the production technology used in chicken eggs with embryos, with this technology also being used to produce local seasonal flu vaccines.

The results of preclinical studies conducted in India, the United States, and Vietnam have so far proved the safety and efficacy of the domestic vaccine.

Telehealth provides remote consultations for 1,800 severe COVID-19 cases

Military-run telecom group Viettel announced on Wednesday that medical establishments nationwide have carried out 120 consultation sessions for more than 1,800 severe COVID-19 cases, promptly handling and treating the patients.

The Telehealth platform has been deployed since April, 2020. After more than a year, more than 200 hospitals in the country have regularly used the platform for remote consultations. Nearly 600 consultation sessions and more than 200 professional training sessions have been held through this platform. In particular, 35 remote surgical consultations were performed. To date, more than 1,600 medical records have been uploaded to the Telehealth platform.

At the August 8 ceremony to launch the Telehealth platform and debut the National Technology Centre for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said that his ministry will apply online medical examination and treatment registration for all people, promote the application of technological achievements such as big data and artificial intelligence in healthcare management.

Local medical workers are now able to seek advice from leading experts about how to best treat patients in critical conditions, particularly those with COVID-19, via Telehealth, instead of transferring them to higher-level hospitals.

This will help ease overloading at centrally-run hospitals and minimise direct contact between patients and medical workers. In the long run, it will enable all people to register for online medical consultations. 

Switzerland presents 13 tonnes of medical supplies to Vietnam

An aid package of 13 tonnes of medical supplies from the Swiss Government is expected to arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport, Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of August 13, the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland said, citing a notice from the Humanitarian Aid Agency under the Swiss Foreign Ministry.

The relief shipment worth 125 billion VND (5 million CHF) comprises 30 ventilators, 500,000 antigen test kits and 300,000 antibacterial masks. It was part of the outcomes of the visit to Vietnam by Swiss Vice President and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis from August 6-8.

During the visit, the Swiss Vice President shared the difficulties that Vietnam is facing, and agreed that the two countries should continue to share experience in COVID-19 prevention and control while carrying out the roadmap for economic recovery and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the health sector, especially in the transfer of production technology for vaccines and drugs to treat COVID-19.

The aid package is a precious and timely gift of the Swiss Government to Vietnam, reflecting the good friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland over the past five decades./.

Vietnam always active member of UN: President

Vietnam has been and will continue to be an active member of the international community and the United Nations (UN), affirmed President Nguyen Xuan Phuc while hosting outgoing UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra in Hanoi on August 12.

The President stated Vietnam will continue to make proactive and responsible contribution to the UN Security Council, join UN peacekeeping activities, and step up the implementation of UN sustainable development goals and climate-change commitments under the Paris Agreement.

He added the country will run for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023 – 2025 tenure.

Phuc stated Vietnam treasures UN organisations’ valuable support and cooperation over the past more than four decades, and appreciates their active role in helping the nation respond to COVID-19. He asked the UN to continue giving Vietnam timely policy advice as well as technical and financial support.

The State leader reiterated that Vietnam attaches importance to multilateralism and international law and backs the UN in promoting its central role in boosting solidarity and collaboration among nations to tackle global challenges, sustain international peace and security, and foster prosperity.

For his part, Malhotra thanked Vietnamese public agencies and sectors for their assistance for UN organisations and himself. He affirmed UN organisations in Vietnam want to help the nation carry out its domestic development priorities and promote its role and position in the global stage.

He said that the highest priority of UN organisations now is to support Vietnam’s COVID-19 response, especially in accessing vaccine through the COVAX Facility and in the transfer of vaccine production technologies so that Vietnam can be self-sufficient in this regard.

Vietnam has an increasingly important role and voice in the UN thanks to its active and responsible participation in and contribution to common affairs of the international community and the UN, Malhotra stated, adding that UN organisations will continue to support and accompany the country in its national development cause./.

Vietnam Airlines succeeds in applying IATA Travel Pass

Vietnam Airlines’ Flight VN310 between Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport and Tokyo’s Narita airport has been the first of the national flag carrier to pilot the application of the IATA Travel Pass.

The pilot launch of digital health passport by Vietnam Airlines is part of the cooperation agreement signed by the national flag carrier and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in May.

The trial will continue to run on its flights between Hanoi and Tokyo until the end of August and on a flight between Hanoi and London on September 2.

To be eligible to participate in the programme, passengers must be over 18 years old and have a certificate of negative COVID-19 test results issued by testing facilities registered with IATA.

To make it easier for passengers to use the application, Vietnam Airlines provides instructions with illustrations on its website at https://www.vietnamairlines.com/vn/en/plan-book /experience/iata-travel-pass.

The airline hopes that the successful test of the electronic health passport will be the basis for the Vietnamese Government to consider officially recognising this mechanism, speeding up the resumption of international flights in the near future.

Miss Earth Vietnam 2021 postponed due to COVID-19 threats

The Miss Earth Vietnam 2021 pageant has been delayed until the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control nationwide, the competition’s organisers said in its recent announcement.

Representatives of previous Miss Earth Vietnam contests gather in a press conference of the Miss Earth Vietnam 2021 pageant held in April.
The decision was made after the SARS-CoV-2 virus resurged in April, forcing a number localities to impose social distancing measures that eventually affected the organisation of the event. 

The pageant’s organisers have received the profiles of contestants from across the country since late May. The preliminary round was originally scheduled to take place in early August, but has now been delayed. 

The grand final was set to take place on December 4 in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong.

Phuc Nguyen, head of the pageant’s organszing board, said this year’s competition would seek winners to not only take responsibility towards protecting the environment, but also to participate in charity activities, especially during the pandemic time.

Most recently, the organisers of Miss Earth Vietnam handed over 2,000 protective gears, mask shields, gloves, and N95 face masks to field hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City for the ongoing COVID-19 fight.

Certain requirements for people going to airports

 

The holder of an overseas flight ticket must meet specific requirements to go through checkpoints to an international airport, according to a document signed by Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan on August 11 detailing instructions on procedures for those who want to go to international airports to go abroad.

Under the document sent to the municipal and provincial People's Committees, they must obtain necessary papers, including passport (attached with a valid visa), air tickets (paper or electronic), a medical certificate of negative PCR test result in line with the Ministry of Health’s regulations.

Drivers who take passengers to the international airport to go abroad and return to the place of departure also have to meet certain requirements

In addition, the Ministry of Transport required the drivers to carry only one person and avoid car sharing unless many people in the same family live in the same house and having air tickets abroad on the same flight./.

Vietnam targets 1/8 round in FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021

The Vietnamese futsal team targets beating Panama to advance to the 1/8 round of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021.

According to the Vietnam Football Federation, the team arrived in Hanoi on August 12 to make important preparations for the tournament after over 20 days of training in Ho Chi Minh City.

Coach Pham Minh Giang said the list of players will be reduced to 17 from 22, including three goalkeepers, before the team travels to Spain for training on August 25.

After September 3, the team will come to Lithuania to make final preparations and play a friendly match with Morocco on September 6.

In the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021 final, the Vietnamese team is in the same group with Brazil, Czech Republic and Panama. They will compete with Brazil on September 13, with Panama on September 16 and the Czech Republic on September 19./.

COVID-19: Con Dao plans to have over 70 percent of population fully vaccinated

Con Dao island in the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau has planned to have 70 percent of its population fully vaccinated with two shots of COVID-19 vaccine by August 13.

The island district is now running its fourth vaccination campaign from August 11 to 13 that mobilises 12 medical staff from the provincial police and military forces. An addition of 5,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine has been provided for the locality.

The district’s health centre deployed more than 30 medical staff and over 40 volunteers to serve the vaccination drive.

Phan Thanh Bien, deputy secretary of the district Party Committee and Chairman of the district People’s Council, when the 70-percent vaccination target is achieved, the district will propose easing social distancing measures and gradually recovering production and business activities./.

OV experts join hands in stamping out COVID-19 in HCM City

A webinar was held online on August 12 to gather ideas from overseas Vietnamese (OV) in controlling COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Opening the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu, head of the State Committee for OV Affairs highlighted the contributions of OVs to the pandemic fight Vietnam. 

Vietnamese around the world have donated about 35 billion VND (1.54 million USD) to COVID-19 prevention and control activities and more than 13.8 billion VND to the national COVID-19 Vaccine Fund, along with large quantities of medical supplies. They have also shared experience in the work and registered to join frontline forces in the fight, he noted.

The official expressed his hope that through the webinar, Vietnamese experts abroad will share their experience in pandemic prevention and control and give their opinions on solutions to stamp out the pandemic in Vietnam, especially Ho Chi Minh City, the current largest COVID-19 hotspot in the country.

According to Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Council Nguyen Van Dung, the city is facing challenges in ensuring the livelihood for local residents and strengthening COVID-19 prevention and control measures amid the complicated and prolonged pandemic developments.

He said that the city needs more resources to care for local residents, especially affected labourers, stressing that HCM City highly value OV support in COVID-19 prevention and control.

At the event, many experts shared experience and knowledge as well as lessons in pandemic fight of many countries in the world.

Doctor Vu Ngoc Khue from the US highlighted the strategy of setting up three layers in pandemic control – people in their residential areas, medical staff in hospitals, medical facilities and quarantine areas, and the armed forces.

Khue said four weeks are enough to end the spreading of the pandemic and clean up the environment, stressing the need for strict implementation of social distancing measures, along with the mobilising of the whole economic, political and social system to support people in COVID-19 fight.

Meanwhile, Doctor Vo Toan Trung, an OV in France, said that Vietnam should focus on designing plans to respond to the extremely dangerous situation when the number of patients goes beyond the capacity of the medical system.

He suggested that the medical force should be divided into three groups to take turn in working to avoid overload.

Doctor Trung said that HCM City can isolate the entire industrial parks to ensure production, while applying work-from-home for all other sectors. Meanwhile, the city must receive priority in vaccine supply and the pace of vaccination should be sped up.

During the period of strict social distancing, efforts should be concentrated on vaccination and testing, which should be effective in controlling the pandemic, he said./.

Vietnamese expats in Germany donate to support flood victims in German localities

The Vietnamese community living and working in Germany have donated 30,050 EUR to help people in two flood-affected states in this European country.

At a ceremony on August 12 to hand over 15,000 EUR worth of donations to representatives from Rheinland-Pfalz state, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Minh Vu expressed sympathy to people in Rheinland-Pfalz and Nordrhein-Westfalen states, who are facing difficulties caused by serious flooding recently.

Trinh Thi Mui, head of the fundraising board said that the Vietnamese community in Germany consider the country their second homeland. Witnessing the heavy consequences of natural disasters in the two western states of Germany, the Vietnamese community in Germany has responded to the appeal for donations to share some of the difficulties with the people affected by the flood.

According to Mui, the board has received a total of 30,050 EUR from 382 individuals, families, businesses and associations.

The historic flooding last July devastated Rheinland-Pfalz and Nordrhein-Westfalen states, destroying most infrastructure and claiming the lives of at least 191 people, while tens of thousands of people were injured./.

Vietnam, Australia seek to boost IT cooperation

A conference to promote cooperation in information and technology between Vietnam and Australia took place virtually from August 10-12, attracting the participation of IT firms from both countries.

The event was jointly organised by the Vietnam Software & IT services (VINASA), the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) and the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia.

In his speech at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh said the two countries have recently promoted IT development, focusing on digital transformation.

Through their close strategic partnership, Vietnam and Australia have signed an action plan for the period of 2020 - 2023, covering the three pillars of economy, politics - defence security, and innovation. The three pillars all focus on digital transformation.

A strategy to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries scheduled to be signed in this October also focuses on this issue, he said.

Nguyen Thi Thu Giang, Secretary General of VINASA said she believes that Vietnamese and Australian businesses have many proper conditions to increase cooperation, expressing her hope that the conference will a bridge for the two sides’ enterprises to set up partnership and expand IT cooperation.

According to Do Thanh Binh, a member of VINASA, Vietnam's IT human resources have reached over 1 million people, covering from hardware, software to digital content.

Foreign investors can enjoy many incentives when joining the Vietnamese IT market, he said.

Ron Gauci, Managing director of AIIA, said both Australia and Vietnam have their own strengths in IT, so there are opportunities for their businesses to take advantage of each other.

In Australia, the IT-based economy is growing strongly, covering many areas such as agriculture, mining, education and health. The country has a great demand for human resources and IT products.

Gauci emphasised that this will be an opportunity for Vietnamese IT companies to strengthen connection with Australian firms, and also for Australian companies and organisations to hire high-quality IT human resources of the Southeast Asian nation.

Nguyen Phu Hoa, head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, said the agency has prepared to form a forum to promote Vietnam's digital products to Australia.

A platform called DigiViet-Aus.com, scheduled to be launched in this September, is expected to promote connectivity between the two countries’ businesses, he added.

Ministry warns medical equipment industry against price gouging

Manufacturers, importers and suppliers must not increase the price or speculate with products that serve COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

Such moves could cause negative affects in the fight against the pandemic in localities across the country, the Ministry of Health said on August 11.

The ministry requires medical equipment suppliers and traders to seriously update and transparently publish the prices of medical equipment on the ministry’s e-portal.

The ministry also ordered manufacturers, importers and suppliers to actively research and grasp the current demand of biological products and medical equipment to ensure smooth supply during the pandemic.

Manufacturers, importers and suppliers were told to make plans to prepare the material sources, as well as improve production and import capacity to meet demand, the ministry said.
In case of force majeure, for example, if there was a price fluctuation due to the pandemic’s impact, manufacturers, suppliers and importers must update prices and clearly explain the reasons why prices were adjusted to medical facilities, hospitals and localities.

In a related move, the ministry sent Document No 6546/BYT-TB-CT on August 11 to An Sinh Medical Investment and Development Joint Stock Company to order the company to clarify on the e-portal why the price of ventilators it provided had doubled.

Under the document, the ministry’s Department of Medical Equipment and Construction found that the company’s price of the imported ventilator was 960.5 million VND (42,200 USD) on the ministry’s e-portal.

However, the department was notified that the company gave the price of only 455 million VND for each ventilator to a number of medical facilities.

Therefore, the ministry ordered the company to urgently send a report to explain why the price published on the ministry’s e-portal was double compared to the price given to medical facilities.
The report must be sent to the ministry before 5pm on August 13. If the company failed to send the report as per the deadline, the ministry will immediately suspend the company’s account on the e-portal./.

Hanoi transport projects stagnant due to Covid-19

Many transport construction projects in Hanoi are facing sluggish progress due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.

The road expansion project for Le Van Luong Tunnel should have been completed by now according to the schedule. However, ground clearance and some constructions have not been completed.

Dang Anh Tuan, the representative of Ficon Vietnam Company, the contractor of the project, said as the Covid-19 situation in Vietnam has developed since May, social distancing rules were tightened and construction trucks can hardly travel out due to a lack of required papers.

The bridge construction across Linh Dam Lake is also stagnant because of the same reason. It used to take only three days to complete a pillar, but now it takes more than a week. As the result, the projects may not be able to complete by October 10.

Le Trung Hieu, deputy head of the Management Board of Hanoi Metro Rail System Projects, said Nhon-Hanoi Station Rail Route is an important project and the construction is allowed to continue during social distancing. However, in the first two weeks, they can hardly work because construction trucks from other provinces and cities couldn't enter the city.

According to Tuan, if construction trucks are allowed to enter the city then the road expansion project for Le Van Luong Tunnel will be completed at the end of August.

Hanoi People's Committee announced that construction trucks for key transport projects will be issued a travel code along with shuttle buses for workers and experts.

Duong Duc Tuan, vice chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, said that all construction sites must be blocked with fences and the construction workers must live at or near the construction sites and make no contact with other people during the social distancing period.

People who want to go to airports must meet certain requirements

Screening procedures for passengers at Noi Bai International Airport.

The holder of an oversea flight ticket must meet specific requirements to go through checkpoints to an international airport, according to a document signed by Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan on August 11 detailing instructions on procedures for those who want to go to international airports to go abroad.

Under the document sent to the People's Committees of provinces and cities, they must obtain necessary papers including passport (attached with a valid visa), air tickets (paper or electronic), a medical certificate of negative PCR test result in line with the Ministry of Health (MoH)’s regulations, address where they reside, destination (international airport), and other papers showing a license plate for vehicles which are used to get to the airport, boarding time at departure place and the arrival time. They must comply with the MoH’s COVID-19 prevention rules

Drivers who take passengers to the international airport to go abroad and return to the place of departure also have to meet certain requirements including papers showing their car registration number plate, identity card number or citizen identification or passport number with issuance date, address where you reside, province/city of departure; airport arrival time; the route from the place of departure to the international airport and vice versa, and a certificate proving that they are negative for the virus conducted by RT- PCR method, the document said.

The information of ticket holders going abroad which comprises their full name, date of flight and flight number should be included.

It was necessary for the drivers to show some papers namely a copy of the passport of the persons who want to go abroad, a copy of the air ticket and they must follow COVID-19 prevention regulations, it said.

In addition, the Ministry of Transport required the drivers to carry only one person and avoid car sharing unless many people in the same family live in the same house and having air tickets abroad on the same flight./.

Special COVID-19 patient stays to help doctors after recovering

Hà Ngọc Trường is a special patient at the Củ Chi COVID-19 Treatment Hospital in HCM City. 

Almost two months ago, Trường and four members of his family tested positive for SARS-nCoV-2. He himself had to be put on a ventilator due to respiratory failure.

Trường, 28, was treated at Củ Chi COVID-19 Treatment Field Hospital for a month before his condition improved and he was able to be taken off the ventilator.

“That was also the time when I witnessed the hardship of doctors and nurses working at the hospital. They always had to wear this protective suit that is so uncomfortable, they dare not even drink water,” Trường said.

When he could get up and walk again, Trường thought he had to do something to help them as a way to express his gratitude. He started a special task: a patient-turned-nurse for the Infection Faculty 1 of the hospital, as people in the faculty often joked.

“I thought of doing something like cleaning the patients’ rooms and caring for basic needs of F0s with more critical conditions to ease the burden of doctors and nurses who saved my life,” Trường said.

"In the faculty I was being treated, many patients are elderly. Some of them have both COVID-19 and another disease, some are even paralysed. They don't have family and can't take care of themselves, so they depend on health staff," Trường said. 

He told the health staff his wish to help – and was welcomed.

Trường would help with giving meals to patients in the faculty. He would help clean those who couldn’t get up. He washed their hair when needed. Then he moved on to more technical work – checking IV bottles and oxygen cylinders.

Tô Lê Hưng, a doctor at the hospital, said Trường's help was valuable.

“We trained him on safety regulations, how to change an oxygen cylinder, and basic stuff like that. In fact, there are always 130-140 patients here who need oxygen machines, one doctor has to take care of many patients, so Trường’s support was very much appreciated,” Hưng said.

Huỳnh Thị Thuỷ, a patient at the hospital, said Trường helped her a lot in the past month.

“He comes every day to ask about my daily needs like food or personal hygiene. Every ten days, he helps me wash my hair,” Thuỷ said.

“I think of him as my son, and so many people here do as well. He helps everyone, and he wouldn’t refuse any requests,” she said.

While Trường’s mom, who is also a COVID patient, is still on ECMO at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, he still finds the energy to continue supporting doctors and nurses, saying he would remain at the hospital until the pandemic is over.

“I used to wash my mum’s hair, too. Now that she’s not here, I can’t do it for her, so I think I am taking care of aunts and uncles here just like I’m taking care of my mum. I used to be a patient, so I understand the feeling of being unable to do personal hygiene stuff,” Trường said.

Immunity after natural infection

Doctor Lâm Hoàng Cát Tiên from Nguyễn Tri Phương Hospital in HCM City cited a US study in June 2021 showing that when a COVID-19 patient recovers, the patient has antibodies, meaning they can’t catch the virus for a certain period of time.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s Clinical Center under the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Bethesda, showed that people who have recovered from COVID-19 might develop naturally acquired immunity that persists for up to 11 months after infection.

The study, which aims at better understanding COVID-19 responses in individuals who obtained the virus in the community, was published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

“It’s of great help to have F0s who have recovered and stay to support us to care for patients with mild symptoms so we could focus on treating those in more critical conditions,” said Trần Chánh Xuân, director of Củ Chi COVID-19 Treatment Hospital.

At Thủ Đức City COVID-19 Treatment Hospital, some recovered patients also volunteered to support doctors and nurses.

“Those who have recovered know very well the procedures of taking care of a COVID-19 patient, so we don’t have to train them too much,” said doctor Nguyễn Minh Quân, director of Thủ Đức City COVID-19 Treatment Hospital.

The hospital has actually set up a model according to which recovered patients support doctors in following up with other cases.

“With so many patients in the hospital, we can’t stay by patients’ sides all the time, so these people are really giving us a hand so we could detect any unusual developments in patients and address the issues quickly,” Quân said. 

Trà Vinh to treat nearly all urban household solid waste by 2025

The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Trà Vinh plans to collect and treat 98.5 per cent of household solid waste in urban areas by 2025.

The province also aims to collect and treat 80 per cent of household solid waste in rural areas by 2025.

Solid waste from the agriculture, industry and healthcare sectors will be collected and treated separately. 

Nguyễn Huỳnh Thiện, deputy chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said that most household solid waste was transported to concentrated rubbish landfills and buried, which is not an environmentally sound practice.

Under the People’s Committee’s plan to collect and treat solid wastes in 2021 – 30, the province will build waste-burning plants and later build waste-to-energy plants that will produce electricity.

The province will seek investors for six waste treatment plants by 2030.

It plans to close nine rubbish landfills that cannot receive new solid waste in 2021- 25 and will close six other rubbish landfills in 2026 – 30.

The province in 2018 closed Trà Vinh City’s rubbish landfill, the largest in the province, because of overloading. Located in Châu Thành District’s Lương Hoà Commune, it stored about 200,000 tonnes of solid waste and caused severe pollution.

There are 18 rubbish landfills in the province.

The province releases about 401 tonnes of solid waste a day and only 294 tonnes of the amount, or 73 per cent of the solid waste, are collected and transported to rubbish landfills.

The remaining solid waste is treated by local residents who burn or dump the waste.

German experts laud Vietnam’s initiatives to respond to maritime security challenges

German experts have hailed the initiatives to respond to maritime security challenges that Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed at the UN Security Council High-level Open Debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security – A Case for International Cooperation” on August 9.

Talking to Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondents in Berlin, Dr. Gerhard Will, an former expert on the East Sea at the German institute for political science, said that the speech once again affirms Vietnam’s viewpoint and policy in ensuring maritime security and peacefully addressing conflicts at sea, as well as proposing specific solutions in this regard. This shows the country’s important role in maintaining peace, stability and maritime security in the region.

According to him, maritime security is a very important issue for Vietnam because it has wide waters, a long coastline, and an economy that is highly dependent on import and export activities and closely linked with the world economy.

Commenting on the Vietnamese PM’s proposals, the German expert said that they are very appropriate and practical, demonstrating Vietnam’s initiative, positivity and high sense of responsibility in dealing with common challenges.

Vietnam understands that maritime security is a common issue that cannot be solved by a single country, but requires regional and international cooperation and consensus, and international law, especially sea-related law, is a very important legal basis and the foundation for settling conflicts and maintaining security and stability in seas, he shared.

Will also appreciated Vietnam’s proposal to establish a network of regional maritime security mechanisms and initiatives coordinated by the United Nations to enhance the sharing of information and experience, and coordination to promptly respond to common global challenges.

Sharing the same view, Prof. Thomas Engelbert from the Asia - Africa Institute under the Hamburg University of Germany stated that Vietnam - one of the main stakeholders in disputes in the East Sea - plays an important role in the peaceful settlement of this issue.

So far, every initiative that Vietnam has made has aimed at seeking a peaceful solution to or peacefully addressing disputes, he stressed.

According to him, the Southeast Asian country’s proposals at the UNSC always aim at promoting security and ensuring stability at sea and maritime freedom in the region.

In order to ensure and maintain maritime security, he suggested relevant countries respect international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.

Da Nang eyes top three performers in digital transformation

 

The central city of Da Nang is eyeing to be in the top three performers in digital transformation, information security and e-commerce by 2030.

According to a resolution issued by the municipal Party Committee, Da Nang city aims to complete digital transformation and building of a smart city over the next decade.

It is developing e-government in an effort to provide 100 percent of total online public administrative services at level 4, have 60 percent of level-3 and 4 non-business services provided on multiple digital platforms and supported on mobile devices, and have all governmental agencies provide open data.

Every visitor to Da Nang will receive consultations and support via digital platforms before, during and after their stay in the city./.

Ninh Thuan: ethnic communities assisted to effectivley use IT

The People’s Committee of Ninh Thuan province plans to use the application of information technology to help ethnic minority people gain access to important government information.

This is part of an action plan under the Government’s project to strengthen information technology applications to support ethnic minority people from 2021-2025.

The system will help ethnic minority people access the latest information on education, health, science and technology and markets as well as the policies and laws of the State and Party.

By 2023, the south-central province wants all reputable people in the community and 90 percent of ethnic minority people to understand the policies and laws of the State, and be able to access information on security and order, forest fire prevention and control, natural disaster prevention and disease prevention.

The province will use IT to ensure that 80 percent of the festivals and customs of ethnic minorities will be preserved in the form of digitised and multimedia databases.

An electronic library, which includes information on local ethnic minority groups, will be built to serve the communities.

By 2025, the province will complete the database system on ethnic minority groups, contributing to socio-economic development, and helping to maintain security and order in the areas in which ethnic minority people live.

Currently, only a low percentage of people in these areas have computers and internet connections while local officials, civil servants and teachers do have computers provided by the province and district.

Vice Chairman of the People's Committee Nguyen Long Bien said in order to achieve the above goals, the province needs to assign relevant units to upgrade IT equipment and infrastructure, guide people through the use of smart mobile devices to support the dissemination of policies and laws, provide employment information and support remote medical diagnosis and treatment for ethnic minority people.

The province would strengthen education on searching and using online public services provided by State agencies and improve information dissemination and knowledge about information technology.

There are 32 ethnic minority groups with 144,200 people living in the province, accounting for 24.4 percent of the province's population.

Ethnic minority people live in 37 communes in seven districts and cities. More than 6,080 households are living in poverty, accounting for 16.19 percent of the province’s population./.

Internet speed index in Vietnam to be updated regularly

The Department of Telecom at the Ministry of Information and Communications will publish the weekly index of Vietnam’s internet quality on its portal starting this month, announced the Vietnam Internet Network Information Center (VNNIC) on August 11.

The release of the Quality of Experience is to protect the interest of Internet users and raise the competitive edge of service providers.

The VNNIC will collect the data from its Internet Speed system and publicise the information at the address http://vnta.gov.vn/doanhnghiep/Trang/thongtinchitiet.aspx?tintucId=24167.

The released data will help users evaluate the Internet's quality by themselves. They are also advised to install i-Speed, the first Made-in-Vietnam internet speed measuring app, to check speed and quality, as well as send feedback to service providers./.

Da Nang eyes top three performers in digital transformation by 2030

The central city of Da Nang is eyeing to be in the top three performers in digital transformation, information security and e-commerce by 2030, according to a resolution issued by the municipal Party Committee.

The city aims to complete digital transformation and building of a smart city over the next decade, says its Resolution 05-NQ/TU dated June 17, 2021 on promoting digital transformation by 2025, with a vision to 2030.

It is developing e-government in an effort to provide 100 percent of total online public administrative services at level 4, have 60 percent of level-3 and 4 non-business services provided on multiple digital platforms and supported on mobile devices, and have all governmental agencies provide open data.

The digital economy is expected to account for at least 20 percent of the city’s gross regional domestic products (GRDP), with information technology (IT) making up at least 10 percent.

The share of the digital economy in each sector shall reach at least 10 percent. The labour productivity will increase a minimum of 7 percent annually. There will be 1,000 open and public data sets accessible to organisations, citizens and businesses for use and creation of new products.

The digital economy is hoped to represent 20 percent of the added value in tourism. All of the city-based museums, cultural sites and tourist attractions will provide virtual reality travel and online payment services. Every visitor to Da Nang will receive consultations and support via digital platforms before, during and after their stay in the city.

In the fields of finance, banking and e-commerce, Da Nang looks to increase the contribution of the digital economy to the sectors’ total added value to 20 percent and to have 90 percent of businesses with an e-commerce transaction account.

At least 50 percent of the local population will engage in online shopping, and sales in business-to-customers (B2C) online marketplaces will make up at least 10 percent of the city’s total retail sales of consumer goods and services.

Also, 50 percent of industrial and agricultural producers will apply digital data and technology in production. Every citizen and business will be able to look up information on vacant land lots and land fund calling for investment online.

Every household will have a digital address, access to broadband internet services and hold an electronic health record. All medical service providers will use electronic health records in medical examination and treatment, and allow online appointment booking, consultation, medical checkups, treatment while patients can make online payments for health services.

Located between the ancient town of Hoi An and the old capital of Hue, Da Nang City spans an area of 1,285 sq.km, with an estimated population of 1 million people in 2014, and expects to reach 1.5 million people by 2020 and 2.5 million by 2030.

In 2014, Da Nang was the first city in Vietnam to launch an e-Government system and transferred it to 16 cities and provinces in 2016.

The city has maintained its leading position in terms of readiness for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development and application, topping the Vietnam ICT Index rankings for another year in 2020. This was the 12th consecutive year it had secured first place in the ratings of Vietnam’s 63 cities and provinces.

The coastal city posted a total score of 0.9238 in last year’s rankings; 12 percent higher than that of the runner-up – neighbouring Thua Thien-Hue province. It scored 1.00 in the category of IT application, leaving all other cities and provinces in its wake. The second highest score went to Quang Ninh and Can Tho (both 0.48)./.

New market models infiltrate stricken localities

With the residents of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City striving to get through tough pandemic restrictions, philanthropic activities are a lifesaver for many.

The past month has been an extremely busy time for Nguyen Thi Huu Hue, fashion designer and owner of the Hualala brand and Phori’s House homestay chain. In addition to maintaining online sales, Huu Hue and her associates also carry out charity programmes such as giving necessities to people in difficult circumstances and providing places to stay for doctors performing community vaccinations in Ho Chi Minh City as free quarantine places.

In addition to food donation that has been carried out regularly, Hue also cleaned up an empty 6-storey house in the centre of District 1 to make a resting place for doctors.

“Many doctors at field hospitals need somewhere to self-isolate, and doctors who vaccinate people in the city do not dare to return home because they may infect their relatives. Currently, my house in District 1 is full, so I want to seek more support from benefactors who have vacant houses in Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, and districts 1-3,” Hue shared on Facebook.

Hue’s story is just one of the thousands of touching stories that are taking place every day in cities forced to implement social distancing to prevent the pandemic, especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City along with 19 southern provinces.

Nguyen Phuong Bao Ngoc, a 32-year-old charity worker in Hanoi, said that she has never seen the life of poor workers as difficult as it is now.

Ngoc bought about 3 tons of rice, divided into 1,500 gifts, but in only two days all of them were distributed, while the number of people coming to receive gifts was increasing.

Fearing that social distancing could not be guaranteed, Ngoc decided to cooperate with the local government to distribute necessities. Every day, Hang Trong ward authorities drive to her house to receive rice and noodles to hand to people in need.

“My joy is that people with difficulties in life will overcome the pandemic. Giving without demanding, I just want them to know that there are still people willing to reach out to help them,” said Ngoc.

Among the current charity models, the zero-VND supermarket is becoming a solution chosen by organisations and businesses to be able to support more people.

At the end of July, the first two such supermarket buses organised by the Hanoi Federation of Labour in association with BRG Retail brought essentials to nearly 1,800 workers in Hanoi’s industrial zones.

In the first 10 days of August, the buses brought gifts worth over VND4 billion ($173,000) to about 20,000 workers who have stopped working or lost their jobs in industrial zones such as North Thang Long, Quang Minh, and more.

In addition to that, 20 other zero-VND mini supermarkets operated by Hanoi Youth Union, Red Star Entrepreneurs Club, and enterprises including PNJ, Alphanam, Phu Thai, Hung Thinh, and Deloitte Cen Group were established to serve disadvantaged groups. Households are given a voucher worth VND400,000 ($17.50) and can visit the supermarket on the specified date and time to ensure distancing.

Last year, the model of a zero-VND supermarket, rice ATM, and community refrigerator were also popular forms of charity in Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, campaigns to help people go to the market and bring price-stabilised goods to residential areas are also carried out regularly as a way for people in pandemic areas to be supported.

HCMC faces uncompleted works for new academic year under cloud of Covid-19

The next few weeks mark the beginning of the school year across HCMC but this back-to-school season might be unlike any before due to the situation of the Covid-19 outbreak in the city.

All preparation activities for the 2021-2022 school year, such as school registration and enrollment, textbook supply, the completion of infrastructure works have not been finalised yet. The pandemic forced schools throughout the city to have online opening ceremonies for the new academic year.

Parents who have children entering 1st and 6th grades are anxious over the suspension of new enrollments in primary and secondary schools in districts.

A representative of the Subdepartment of Education and Training of Binh Thanh District said that schools are expected to announce their lists of students at the end of August. Parents can dial schools’ phone numbers for further instructions.

No districts have completed the enrollment plan because a large number of students have to implement medical isolation in quarantine facilities and blocked sites and few families haven't got used to online registration.

On August 3, the People’s Committee of HCMC has decided to extend the enrollment date and plan for the 2021-2022 school year to August 19. On the other hand, schools also are facing a teacher shortage because of unimplemented recruitment and mandatory quarantine requirements.

Meanwhile parents are seeing the unavailability of textbooks while bookstores have been forced to temporarily close due to social distancing measures. The textbooks have not been supplied to schools and the online selling channels of leading publishing houses, such as Fahasa, Phuong Nam Book have also run out of schoolbooks.

Principal of the Lac Hong Secondary High School in District 10, teacher Nguyen Thanh Phat said that the school will deploy the teaching and learning program that teachers can choose own subjects and courses in case of students' textbook purchase delay.

Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, schools can divide grade levels into different time of learning, and implement a combination of both online and face-to-face education, principal of the Bui Thi Xuan High School in District 1, teacher Vu Thi Ngoc Dung added.

MoPS launches software to monitor citizens in Covid-19 infected areas
 
The Police Department on Administrative Management of Social Order (C06) under the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) yesterday held a ceremony to formally introduce the software to monitor dwellers living in Covid-19 infected areas nationwide, based on the national population database.

Observing the direction of the Prime Minister in Announcement No.5320/VPCP-KSTT, issued on August 8 by the Government Office, and the direction of MoPS about creating a piece of software to monitor people living in Covid-19 infected areas, C06 has worked closely with related units to develop the software that can exploit currently installed hardware in the National Population Database Center to save overhead cost and ensure information security.

C06 has already piloted the software in Hanoi and Quang Ninh Province to improve the quality and better serve Covid-19 prevention and control tasks in the whole country.

Then on August 10, C06 sent Dispatch No.579 to directors of the Departments of Public Security in all provinces and municipalities, asking them to deliver consultation for their corresponding People’s Committees to launch this monitoring software from August 11.

Accordingly, citizens can now visit the website https://suckhoe.dancuquocgia.gov.vn (in Vietnamese and English) and declare their health status via a computer or smartphone having an Internet connection before they pass a pandemic checkpoint.

After submitting personal information, including their permanent and temporary addresses, citizens receive a QR code to display to an officer at every checkpoint, who will then use their smartphones to check the validity of the codes at the website https://kiemdich.dancuquocgia.gov.vn

The police force on duty at all pandemic checkpoints are given their own accounts to access the monitoring software and verify the information of all people passing checkpoints.

In the case that individuals have no smartphone for health declaration, officers at checkpoints can give them a hard copy of the form to finish the procedure. This paper is then uploaded onto the website https://kiemdich.dancuquocgia.gov.vn for further use after the information there is carefully compared with necessary documents.

Each day, the police officers on duty are responsible for preparing a report of all people entering or exiting the infected area under their management and track suspected F0, F1, F2 when necessary, while ensuring medical safety and public security for the community. This report is submitted to the local Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

C06 advises that citizens actively declare their health status and own a QR code for convenience when traveling and congestion avoidance.

Vehicles allowed to move in green lanes are checked before exiting their stations.

Vietnam highlights need to avoid negative impacts of counter-terrorism measures on humanitarian activities

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Vietnam's Permanent Representative to the UN, has stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to avoid unexpected impacts of counter-terrorism measures on humanitarian activities.

Quy made the suggestion at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s virtual Arria-formula meeting on “Humanitarian action: overcoming challenges in situations of armed conflict and counter-terrorism operations” under the chair of Kenya.

The event drew the attendance of Raffi Gregorian, Deputy to the Under-Secretary-General of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and Director of the UNOCT; Reena Ghelani, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)’s Director of Operations and Advocacy Division; Helen Durham, Director of International Law and Policy at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); and Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the UN.

The Vietnamese ambassador underlined that anti-terrorism measures must be in conformity with the UN Charter and international law.

He underlined the need for all countries to effectively implement UN resolutions, evaluate negative impacts of anti-terrorism measures right from the process of building and applying them.

The best way to protect civilians is to prevent and settle conflicts, and maintain sustainable peace, Quy stressed.

Participants were worried about the accelerating risk of terrorism in Africa, calling on the UNSC to reaffirm the requirement to protect humanitarian action space and promote dialogue and experience sharing.

They confirmed their commitments to fight terrorism, protect civilians, create optimal conditions for humanitarian activities in line with humanitarian principles, and effectively implement UN resolutions in the field.

German journalist: Party chief’s article offers insight into Vietnam’s pathway to socialism

German journalist Gerhard Feldbauer has said Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s article “Several theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the pathway toward socialism in Vietnam” has offered deep and thorough insights into the road chosen by Vietnam following the 1945 August Revolution, drawing public attention.

The journalist mentioned the Vietnamese Party leader's article in his two articles published on the Jungewelt newspaper on August 12.

In his first article entitled “Principles of socialism”, Feldbauer wrote that the goal set in the Political Platform of the Communist Party of Vietnam since its foundation in 1930, has never been changed. That goal is to advance to socialism skipping capitalism according to Vietnam’s specific conditions.

The author quoted Trong's article as saying that socialism is an objective requirement and an inevitable path of the Vietnamese revolution. With rich practical experience and scientific theory of Marxism-Leninism, President Ho Chi Minh concluded that only socialism and new communism could thoroughly deal with national independence, bringing freedom and well-being for all citizens.

Feldbauer's second article highlighted Vietnam’s socio-economic and education achievements since the adoption of the renewal policy in 1986, saying that after the socialist system in the Soviet Union-Eastern Europe collapsed, Vietnam expanded ties with capitalist economies to draw investment, ensure imports and access new export markets. The country gradually established bilateral partnerships, joined the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Recently, Vietnam has signed a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU), which is expected to enable it to build on its position as the second largest trade partner of the EU in ASEAN. With high trade surplus, Vietnam has become not only a material supplier but also an important manufacturing hub.

With an annual growth of 6-8 percent, Vietnam is among the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. The country's per capita GDP increased from 550 USD in 2002 to 3,400 USD in 2019, according to statistics of Statista. The Vietnamese people now have a better life with guaranteed food supply and education opportunities open to youths. In Ho Chi Minh City alone with a population of 9 million, there are about 50 universities.

According to the author, Vietnam has defeated all plots aiming to violate its economic sovereignty and its control of the national economy. The CPV now has more than 5.1 million members, 60 percent of them are young people, which refutes the allegation that young Vietnamese are no longer interested in socialism, he wrote.

Top legislator urges State audit office to raise operational efficiency

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on August 12 asked the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) to put forth a project on consolidating its organisation and improving its operational efficiency.

The SAV needs to soon draw up a plan to implement the State audit strategy by 2030 and continuously enhance transparency and professionalism in its activities, he said.

The top legislator also urged the SAV to review the enforcement of the law amending and supplementing some articles of the State Audit Law recently approved by the legislature, especial stipulations relating to its functions and tasks.

The focus of the year 2022 will be on supreme supervision of thrift practice and anti-wastefulness, he said, requesting the agency to pay due heed to fiscal, monetary and trade policies.

The leader lauded the SAV’s role in fostering thrift practice and anti-wastefulness, and the effective use of public assets and funding since its inception 27 years ago.

Auditor General Tran Sy Thanh reported that so far this year, the SAV has completed 91 audits and proposed financial measures related to 50.87 trillion VND (2.23 billion USD), including collecting an additional 6.65 trillion VND to the State budget and reducing budget spending by 5.79 trillion VND.

The agency also proposed scrapping, amending, supplementing and issuing 67 legal documents, helping to deal with loopholes in mechanisms and policies to prevent losses and wastefulness, he said./.

Vietnam continues efforts to promote gender equality

The national strategy on gender equality helped to narrow gender gap in different fields during the 2011-2020 period, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development, heard a meeting on August 12.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of the strategy in the 2011-2020 period and roll out another for the next ten years. It was jointly held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam via teleconference.

MoLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Ha reviewed outcomes of the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for 2021-2026, with the rate of female NA deputies reaching 30.26 percent, and female representatives at the People’s Councils 30 percent.

The figures have vividly manifested Vietnam’s efforts in ensuring gender equality, the official stressed, adding that the achievements will be a firm foundation for the realisation of the strategy in the next period.

Elisa Fernandez Saenz, Country Representative of UN Women in Vietnam, an agency that has provided technical support in building the 2021-2030 strategy, suggested seriously integrating the strategy’s goals into sectoral and local plans and national target programmes to ensure financial resources for gender equality.

Vietnam also needs targeted investment in changing social norms towards promoting gender equality, which is also the first objective of the 2021-2030 strategy, she added.

Australian Ambassador Robyn Mudie pointed out opportunities and challenges to the advancement of women and girls in the next decade, including those regarding Vietnam’s population aging, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and job automation.

The 2021-2030 strategy will continue to address existing problems such as the awareness of women’s leadership capacity and social norms that devalue women, she said.

With six goals and 20 specific targets, the strategy aims to further narrow the gender gap in politics, economy, employment and family, and fight gender-based violence./

Vietnam-India cooperation effective at international forums: official

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung highlighted effective cooperation between Vietnam and India at international and regional forums and within the frameworks of ASEAN and Greater Mekong Sub-region at a virtual workshop on August 12.

The workshop was held by Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Kumar Verma to mark his nation’s 75th Independence Day (August 15).

Addressing the event, Dung congratulated India on its significant socio-economic achievements during the period and reviewed Vietnam – India relations from traditional friendship to strategic partnership in 2007 and comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016.

The diplomat proposed measures and orientations to enhance the ties in the post-COVID-19 period and amid the ongoing 4th Industrial Revolution.

On the occasion, Dung expressed his gratitude toward the Indian Government and people’s valuable assistance for Vietnam in the fight against the pandemic.

Participants exchanged their views on the formation and development of India since it obtained independence and the history of Vietnam – India relations originated from cultural and religious exchanges dating back more than 2,000 years ago.

They analysed the two nations’ conditions and strengths and recommended specific measures to further bolster their bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in the time to come./.

Top legislator hosts outgoing UN Resident Coordinator

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue has expressed his hope that the United Nations (UN) will further support Vietnam in COVID-19 combat and post-pandemic socio-economic recovery at a reception for outgoing UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra in Hanoi on August 12.

Hue thanked Malhotra for his contributions and support to Vietnam over the past 32 years.

For his part, Malhotra affirmed that the UN always stands side by side with Vietnam in many major activities, as well as regional and international events.

The UN has helped the Southeast Asian nation not only in development but also in enhancing its position in the international arena, and closely coordinated with its legislative body.

Most recently, the UN has also assisted Vietnam in COVID-19 prevention and control, notably in vaccine access, he said, stressing that such cooperation will certainly be further promoted in the time ahead./.

Vietnam, Russia hold great potential for maritime security cooperation: expert

Vietnam and Russia have substantial potential to further develop their cooperation in maritime security in the time ahead, a Russian expert has said when commenting on Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s proposals at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)'s recent high-level open debate on maritime security.

Valeria Vershinina from the ASEAN Centre at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) said Vietnam’s approach to regional security issues coincides with that of Russia, that is concerted efforts are needed to make progress in this field, with the participation of international organisations and regional architectures like ASEAN and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), while maintaining the coordinating role of the UN.

She took note that Vietnam-Russia bilateral cooperation in maritime has covered different spheres, from information sharing to research, exploration, symposiums on marine organisms, shipbuilding, maritime infrastructure, off-shore exploitation, naval collaboration and search and rescue operations at sea.

At the UNSC High-level Open Debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security – A Case for International Cooperation”, held virtually on August 9, PM Chinh presented three proposals.

First, it is imperative that states and international organisations develop a comprehensive, extensive and broad awareness of the importance of oceans and seas, and the threats to maritime security.

Second, maritime security is a global issue and therefore requires global solutions.

“Vietnam proposes the development of a network of arrangements and initiatives for regional maritime security with the United Nations working as the coordinator, to bolster information and experience sharing, coordinate actions, and address common challenges in a timely manner,” the leader said.

Third, the policies, regulations and conducts of states at sea must be in line with international law, especially the United Nations Charter and the 1982 UNCLOS.

International Youth Day celebrated in Hanoi

The United Nations in Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee co-organised a ceremony to mark the International Youth Day 2021 in both in-person and virtual forms in Hanoi on August 12.

This year's event wanted to send to the community a message that Vietnamese youth are the key factor that makes the change towards achieving sustainable development and leaving no one behind.

In her opening remarks, Naomi Kitahara, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Vietnam acknowledged the efforts of the Vietnamese government in creating opportunities for young people to participate in the process of planning, formulating, and implementing policies and contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

Kitahara appreciated the approval of the revised Youth Law by the National Assembly, describing it as a big step forward of Vietnam in ensuring the roles, responsibilities and rights of young people in the development of the country.

Nguyen Tuong Lam, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee said youth's strength and actions are part of the nation’s power. Youth is a great social force, one of the important factors determining the future and destiny of the nation, he said, adding that they are a major force in many fields and undertaking jobs that require sacrifice, hardship, healthy, and creativity.

At the event, outstanding Vietnamese youth delegates took part in an online discussion about the implementation of the Youth Law 2020, and the engagement and contribution of the young generation to the sustainable development of the country./.

Rain-induced landslide claims three lives in Quang Ninh

A landslide triggered by prolonged heavy downpours killed three people and injured another in Ha Long city in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh on August 12.

A shelter of a group of six builders was buried in the landslide. They were all from northern Thai Binh province and working at a construction site in Ha Long's Bai Chay ward.

Only two of them managed to escape when the incident occurred while four others were trapped. The wounded man was brought to Bai Chay Hospital.

Local authorities have presented aid to the bereaved families.

The case is being further investigated./.

Source: VNA/VNS/VOV/VIR/SGT/SGGP/Nhan Dan/Hanoitimes